"There is a 21st century use of these historic properties," said McLaughlin. "We're trying to find that in the marketplace and find a way to honor the history of the place."

The county is organizing public discussions about how to redevelop the area.

McLaughlin says the property could make a good home for commercial businesses.

Fort Snelling's Upper PostMPR Photo/Jeff Jones

Officials may apply for federal aid to repair the buildings. After that, McLaughlin hopes the private sector will take over.

"An exciting vision and a regulatory structure that encourages investment will, once the recession is over, yield private sector investment," he said.

McLaughlin says a preliminary master plan should be in place for the area by March. But first, groups with a claim to the land have to be satisfied.

Todd Hintz, a member of the Friends of Fort Snelling board of directors, says redevelopment has been complicated in the past because so many organizations and agencies hold an interest in a small wedge of the property -- land considered sacred to the Dakota people.

Fort Snelling's Upper Post buildingsMPR Photo/Jeff Jones

"You've got Hennepin County, you got the state, National Park Service, Veterans Administration, Department of Natural Resources, Historical Society -- the Boy Scouts now own a portion of the site," said Hintz.

This time, though, he says the plan might work. The various groups involved have agreed informally on the general idea of reuse and redevelopment.

"Looking at past history efforts we've had previously, nothing's really jelled or worked out. But this time it's looking pretty good," said Hintz.

The first meeting to solicit public input on a master plan is this evening.